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theguardian.com
It’s time to take politics out of the Small Business Administration
The White House’s politicization of the agency will have a real-world impact on small business owners in the USKelly Loeffler, the new administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA), announced recently that the agency charged with supporting the businesses that are the backbone of the US economy would no longer be approving loans to small business owners unless they are US citizens. If you’re a legal, tax-paying immigrant with a green card and full residency? No loans for you.This is a big mistake. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Starmer adviser urges ministers to look at profits cap for energy and petrol firms
PM’s ‘cost of living champion’ calls for consideration of temporary measure to prevent profiteering from Iran warThe government’s top cost of living adviser has called on ministers to explore a temporary cap on the profits of energy and petrol companies to prevent them from cashing in excessively on the war in the Middle East.Richard Walker – a Labour peer, the chair of Iceland supermarkets and the prime minister’s “cost of living champion” – said he had asked the government to examine limiting how much businesses were able to benefit from higher energy prices after Iran’s blockade of the strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping route for Europe’s oil and gas, and the wider conflict in the region. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘The new ketchup’? How hummus spread beyond a niche into a British staple
News that chickpea dip is to join list of products used for UK inflation basket confirms its move into the mainstreamThe best (and worst) supermarket hummus tasted and ratedIt is a sign of the times. This week it was revealed that hummus is joining the list of foods used to measure the cost of living in Britain as the ubiquity of the dip at mealtimes sees it billed as the “new ketchup”.The decision to drop a pot of hummus in the inflation basket is a moment for the all-conquering chickpea dip, which arrived on supermarket shelves on the late 1980s. Since then Britons have gone from spending virtually nothing to £170m a year on the versatile stuff. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
New crypto regulations likely to be big favor to the Trump family, industry insiders say
Regulators narrow securities definitions – a shift that could benefit Trump family’s crypto projectsSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxOn Tuesday, major US financial regulators published rules for the cryptocurrency industry that may reduce regulatory requirements and that insiders believe will benefit the Trump family’s ventures.The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued new guidelines for the cryptocurrency industry to answer the longstanding question of what does or does not qualify as a security, a classification that entails strict oversight. SEC chair, Paul Atkins, has dubbed the framework a “token taxonomy” for the sector. Published jointly with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the guidelines classify most of crypto-based assets as commodities, collectibles, payment tokens or “digital tools”, exempting them from the SEC’s more stringent oversight and disclosure requirements. Only blockchain-based representations of existing securities, such as stocks and bonds, remain classified as securities under this new framework. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Energy shock talk grabs headlines but the Iran war is also driving the world towards a food crisis | Heather Stewart
Growers face soaring fertiliser and fuel costs as shipping choke point of the strait of Hormuz hits supply chains‘The stakes are enormous’: how a prolonged Iran war could shock the global economyIt is peak harvesting season for avocados in the lush southern highlands of Tanzania but growers are racing against time to find buyers for the precious green fruits before they become overripe.Donald Trump’s disastrous Middle East war is being felt in the world’s energy markets but oil and gas are not the only products that transit through the maritime choke point of the strait of Hormuz. The conflict is also hitting supply chains elsewhere. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Energy bills rise 'inescapable' if oil prices stay high, says British Gas boss
The boss of Centrica says it is "too early" to speculate but if oil costs continue to rise, homes will be hit.
cnbc.com
OpenAI's data center pivot underscores Wall Street spending concerns ahead of IPO
As OpenAI gears up for a potential IPO, it's outlined a more tempered infrastructure strategy and has moved away from an ambitious agreement with Nvidia.
cnbc.com
The price of menstrual products is skyrocketing from inflation, tariffs
With rising inflation and changing tariff policies, menstrual products have seen a drastic rise in price over the past few years.
cnbc.com
U.K. confirms Iran fired two missiles at British-American base in Indian Ocean which failed to reach their target
Iran fired the two missiles at the joint U.S.-U.K. Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean but they failed to reach their target, U.K. minister says.
cnbc.com
Wealthy consumers are turning to jewelry as an investment, especially colored gemstones
Lofty gold prices and market volatility are pushing wealthy consumers toward jewelry, especially rare colored gemstones, as handbags lose appeal.
cnbc.com
Trump threatens attack on Iran power plants if Strait of Hormuz isn't reopened
Iran and Israel traded attacks on Saturday as the war in the Middle East escalated into a dangerous new direction at the start of its fourth week.
theguardian.com
Come at the king … HBO changed TV forever, but is its crown under threat in the age of streaming and Trump?
It gave us Game of Thrones, The Sopranos and The Wire. But as HBO Max comes to the UK and with new ownership imminent, the network that reinvented television is fighting to stay itselfIt’s not TV. It’s HBO.” It might have seemed like a hollow brag at the time, but this aggressively assertive tagline marked the beginning of a new era in small-screen entertainment. The slogan was a statement about what the US cable network aspired to be but, also, a tacit rejection of what most television still was in 1996. It seemed a brave opening salvo: after all, at that point, there wasn’t yet much basis for it.HBO (Home Box Office) had begun life in 1972 as a subscription service touting a mixture of films and sport. But by the late 80s, this offering was growing stale; threatened by proliferating networks, the protectiveness of big studios and increasing competition. Original, made-for-TV content was the obvious way forward. But how to find a niche? Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Trumpflation’: how the Iran war’s economic storm could affect Britons
Yet another cost of living crisis looms with fuel, food, holiday, energy and home loan prices expected to riseMiddle East crisis – live updatesHere we go again. For Britons it has been a rollercoaster few years and just as better times seemed ahead the country has been plunged into a fresh cost of living crisis.The economic storm caused by war in the Middle East is already pushing up the cost of key household outgoings, including mortgage payments, energy bills and driving. There are warnings that the weekly shop will be next. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Slop it like it’s hot: the rise of build-your-own takeaway salad bowls
How did this pick-n-mix salad-and-protein sludge become a typical working lunch?Few things have killed the leisurely lunch like capitalism, but to really see this in action, the food court of London’s financial shadowland, Canary Wharf, is a good place to start. Wandering the warren of Prets and Itsus are Deliveroo riders and suits-on-the-clock. And they’re usually carrying the same thing: a nice big bowl of slop.A slop bowl is the universal term for a mishmash of pick-your-own dishes assembled and sold in fast-casual spots that have become the de facto working lunch. The contents vary (they tend to feature Asian and eastern Mediterranean dishes) but as the name suggests, it is always served in a bowl, and by the time you’ve got to your desk, has usually become slop. They can cost anything from £7 to £25 depending on what you add – much like coffee, the slop bowl is as customisable as a modular shelving unit from Ikea. This sounds like a lot. But we also live in an era where a salad bowl from Pret can cost £12, so maybe it’s not. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘We can create hype’: H&M’s UK boss on its commitment to the high street
As the chain marks 50th anniversary in Britain, Karen O’Rourke explains what makes it stand out against cut-price rivalsAlmost exactly 50 years after H&M opened its first British store, the doors on its newest, in Brighton, swung open this week and the Swedish fashion company’s UK boss is determined to keep investing in the nation’s high streets despite its struggles.In 1976, H&M opened in the brand-new Brent Cross shopping centre, the first American-style out of town mall to grace these shores. Its opening was such an event that the then Prince Charles attended. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
From satellites to space data centers: Why low earth orbit is attracting billions in investment
Big Tech companies including Nvidia and Elon Musk's SpaceX are making large bets on a new layer of critical infrastructure that's emerging above our heads.
theguardian.com
Friendship fraud: warnings of rise in ‘insidious’ scam targeting older people
Fraudsters exploit isolation and search for human contact to often devastating effect. These are steps you can take to avoid themAs you have got older, retirement has left you with more time on your hands. Loneliness has set in. Luckily, you have found a friend through one of the online motoring groups you are in, and a close bond has blossomed over your common interest in cars.But your new friend has found themselves short when it comes to paying for their university textbooks, and has asked you for £50. It’s not much, and you get on so well that you agree to pay via bank transfer. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘The stakes are enormous’: how a prolonged Iran war could shock the global economy
Donald Trump’s ‘little excursion’ is likely to have long-term effects, from oil prices to inflation to growth, say expertsIn the days after the US and Israel first bombed Iran, financial markets bet the economic fallout from Donald Trump’s “little excursion” in the Middle East would be short-lived.“There are risks from higher oil prices longer term. But this is a tail risk,” one US-based fund manger said after the airstrike killing Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “History has shown time and time again that geopolitical flare-ups like this tend to be short-lived. This one should prove to be no exception.’’ Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The Wordle guy’s latest move tells us a lot about modern-day ambition
For some, creating a smash hit puzzle would have been enough to kick back for life. But for the Josh Wardles and Timothée Chalamets of the world, not even the moon is enoughHe is one letter away from being a household name. Now Josh Wardle, the inventor of Wordle, has launched a new online game, and in doing so, provided an interesting insight into ambition.For some, creating a global smash hit puzzle so zeitgeisty and popular it becomes part of millions of strangers’ daily routines and is bought by the New York Times for seven figures would have been sufficient for a lifetime. Rather than face inevitable comparison and potential disappointment by attempting That Difficult Second Album, they would have just kicked back on their yacht and called it a day. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Cuba’s power grid collapses in third nationwide blackout amid US oil blockade
Network breakdowns compounded by daily blackouts of up to 12 hours caused by fuel shortagesCuba’s power grid collapsed on Saturday leaving the country without electricity for a third time in March as the communist government battles with a decaying infrastructure and a US-imposed oil blockade.The Cuban Electric Union, which reports to the Ministry of Energy and Mines, announced a total blackout across the island without initially giving a cause for the outage. Continue reading...
bbc.com
'Club vibes without the hangover': The twenty-somethings going out - in the gym
Young people are driving a gym boom as more fitness spaces are transformed into vibrant hangouts.
theguardian.com
Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos ‘taking legal steps’ against Ainslie over America’s Cup boat
Ben Ainslie and Ineos ended partnership last yearStatement says boat used in 2024 ‘belongs to Ineos’Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group is taking legal action against Sir Ben Ainslie over the boat built for the 2024 America’s Cup.Ratcliffe and Ainslie worked closely together across two cycles of the famous sailing competition, culminating in a historic but ultimately unsuccessful challenge for the title 18 months ago. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Eight US states ask judge to temporarily stop $3.5bn Nexstar and Tegna merger
States argue deal would create largest broadcast station group in US, cut jobs and increase consumers’ cable billsEight states asked a US judge on Friday to issue a temporary restraining order to stop a $3.5bn merger of Nexstar Media Group and Tegna.On Thursday, the local broadcast station owners received merger approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the US Department of Justice and said they had closed the transaction two hours after approval, the day after the states filed their lawsuit. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Swansea to complain to EFL over Sky’s Live from Wrexham with Rob & Ryan
Wrexham owners Mac and Reynolds helped commentate‘Buildup and coverage of the game left a lot to be desired’Swansea’s chief executive has said the club will raise concerns over television coverage of their game against Wrexham with the English Football League (EFL), with Tom Gorringe saying the team owned by Rob Mac and Ryan Reynolds “were given priority at every opportunity”.Wrexham won the Championship match 2-0 on a night when Mac and Reynolds provided alternative commentary alongside the Sky presenter David Prutton, marketed as “Live from Wrexham with Rob & Ryan”. Sky Sports trailed the live commentary – which ran on one of its channels with the usual match coverage on its main platform – as “part of a first-of-its kind broadcast”. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Minister claimed thousands of pounds on expenses for promotional videos
Videos of Labour’s Al Carns include him talking about his time as a marine and challenging a firefighter to pull-up contestLabour minister Al Carns has claimed thousands of pounds on parliamentary expenses for promotional videos including one showing him doing pull-ups at a fire station in competition with a firefighter.The veterans minister and former Royal Marine, who is tipped by some MPs as a leadership hopeful, claimed about £3,000, approved by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa), for the production of 17 videos that show him interacting with local businesses. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Trump’s economic shocks are derailing Britain’s building plans
With major developments collapsing, pressure is growing on councils to concede on affordable housing and public amenitiesDonald Trump has done his best to crush the green shoots of the global, post-pandemic economic recovery – nowhere more so than in the UK.The US president’s vandalism can be seen across the economic landscape, especially in the property sector, which has become more sensitive to international events since the spread of Covid-19 disrupted long-established supply chains and sent the cost of raw materials soaring. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
US man pleads guilty to defrauding music streamers out of millions using AI
Michael Smith, 52, charged after flooding platforms with thousands of AI songs and boosting them with botsSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxA North Carolina man has pleaded guilty to defrauding music streaming platforms and his fellow musicians out of millions in royalties by flooding the services with thousands of AI-generated songs – and using automated “bots” to artificially boost the number of listens into the billions.As part of a deal with federal prosecutors in New York’s southern district, 52-year-old Michael Smith pleaded guilty on Friday to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Thousands of people are selling their identities to train AI – but at what cost?
Gig AI trainers worldwide are selling moments of their lives, including calls and texts, to AI companies for quick cashOne morning last year, Jacobus Louw set out on his daily neighborhood walk to feed the seagulls he finds along the way. Except this time, he recorded several videos of his feet and the view as he walked on the pavement. The video earned him $14, about 10 times the country’s minimum wage, or for Louw, a 27-year-old based in Cape Town, South Africa, half a week’s worth of groceries.The video was for an “Urban Navigation” task Louw found on Kled AI, an app that pays contributors for uploading their data, such as videos and photos, to train artificial intelligence models. In a couple of weeks, Louw made $50 by uploading pictures and videos of his everyday life. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Liquid gold’: heating oil thefts rise in Northern Ireland as Iran war sends prices soaring
Police issue alerts and security tips to households reliant on heating oil to deter a crime that can leave victims with bills of thousandsThere is no subtle way to receive heating oil deliveries in rural Northern Ireland: clearly marked tankers trundle through roads and lanes and park outside homes while they replenish storage tanks.The trucks’ comings and goings are visible to the entire community, indicating which households have stocked up on oil, and that is a problem because criminals monitor deliveries to identify targets. Continue reading...
bbc.com
US lifts sanctions on some Iranian oil as energy prices soar
The treasury secretary says the move will quickly bring about 140m barrels of oil to global markets.
theguardian.com
‘It’s stupid’: why western carmakers’ retreat from electric risks dooming them to irrelevance
Iran war should be wake-up call about costs of not going full throttle towards EVs as Chinese have done, experts sayBy the 1980s, Detroit’s once titanic carmakers were being upended by rivals from Japan. Ford, General Motors and Chrysler had grown rich selling gas guzzlers, but when oil prices rose and suddenly cheap, fuel-efficient Japanese models looked attractive, they were unprepared. The collapse in sales led to hundreds of thousands of job losses in the automotive heartland of the US.Now western car manufacturers are making what one former boss calls a similar “profound strategic mistake” as they pull back from electric vehicles (EVs) and refocus on the combustion engine just as oil prices are soaring once again. Experts say the industry’s future – and that of tens of millions of jobs – could be on the line. This time, however, the threat is from China. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
UK government yet to trial OpenAI tech months after signing partnership
FoI request reveals no evidence of testing despite ministers hailing agreement as key to delivering AI-led public service reformWhen the UK government signed a memorandum of understanding with OpenAI, the tech firm behind ChatGPT, the partnership was hailed as one that could harness artificial intelligence to “address society’s greatest challenges”.But eight months on from the fanfare of that announcement, the government has yet to hold any trials involving the firm’s tech. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘It was our little idyll – until the solar farm landed’: the battle raging in the heart of the British countryside
In one corner, clean energy champion Ed Miliband. In the other, residents – and Reform politicians – outraged at plans for more large-scale solar farms in Lincolnshire than anywhere else in the UKAs night descends on the grand offices of Lincolnshire county council, everything appears orderly and calm. Paintings of long-forgotten councillors and dignitaries stare out into an empty drawing room. The council chamber is silent and dark. Bored receptionists glance at their phones while a handful of admin staff hunch over glowing screens. But a rebellion is brewing in the office of the council leader, Sean Matthews, who took charge last May, when Reform replaced the Conservative old guard. The affable former royal protection officer is plotting an apparently radical campaign of civil disobedience against a series of giant solar farms planned for Lincolnshire.Despite a quarter of a century in the Metropolitan police, Matthews is willing to break the law to stop solar developers. He is planning to lie down in front of the bulldozers. “They can arrest me – I’ve arrested plenty of people,” he says, leaning forward on a sofa. “It’s much bigger than me and my criminal record. For goodness sake, it’s the future of the county, it’s the future of our land. I am passionate about that and I will do what I can.” Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Should the bank of mum and dad pay university debts?
Those planning for uni in England and Wales this autumn can apply for student loans from Monday. Here are the options for families worried about debtOur child is heading to university soon – should we try to pay their tuition fees upfront so they are not saddled with a debt for decades?Our child is a recent graduate and their student loan debt is ballooning – should we help pay off some or all of it? Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Frustration, anger, confusion’: Trump administration leaves millions without clear path to paying off student loans
Court’s decision to eliminate Save plan and internal shuffling on who handles what when it comes to student loans presents new challenges for borrowersSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxMany Americans with student debt are again facing future upheaval after a federal appeals court recently ordered the end of a Biden-era student loan repayment program, known as the Saving on a Value Education (Save) Plan, a move that coincided with another grim revelation: new education department data shows that by the end of 2025, 7.7 million borrowers had defaulted on $181bn in federal student loans.The Save plan, which was launched in 2023, is an income-driven repayment program created with the goal of cutting undergraduate loans in half, bringing some borrowers’ monthly payments to $0, and offering early forgiveness for low-balance borrowers. Shortly after the program was announced, Republican attorneys general across the country sued to get it killed, arguing that it was an overstep of executive power and imposed heavy taxpayer costs. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Chelsea’s pathetic fine for Abramovich-era payments puts Tierney row in shade | Barney Ronay
The players’ bizarre huddle and Rosenior’s odd responses should not distract attention from a light punishment that diminishes the Premier LeagueYou might feel enough has already been said about the Chelsea huddle. You would be wrong, of course. It is impossible to say enough about the Chelsea huddle. A week on, that moment when the Chelsea players formed a scrum on the centre circle around what appeared at first glance to be a depressed hatstand, but turned out to be the immovable figure of referee Paul Tierney, is still the most moreishly haunting image of the season.What did it mean? Even the basic geometry is fascinating, with its fractal-like symmetries. Here we have the Chelsea players making a circle inside a circle around a sphere on top of a smaller circle, above which a single bald head protrudes like an orbital moon. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Comic Relief helps fund free school uniform charity
Julie Waller, who heads up the charity, says donations have helped more than 2,000 families.
bbc.com
'Without food charity, we might not eat'
Tiegan Parry says The Bread and Butter Thing, in Boston, eases financial pressures on her family.
cnbc.com
Opinion: As Trump eyes Cuba, my trips there a decade ago remind me how different things were
Trump has threatened a 'friendly takeover' of Cuba after cutting it off from Venezuela's oil. CNBC's Justin Solomon reflects how different things used to be.
theguardian.com
‘It’s come at the wrong time’: how Iran war has floored the Gulf as a sports hub
Conflict has not only hit sporting calendar but laid bare weakness in plans for diversifying economies through sportMiddle East crisis – live updatesThe sight of Nasser al-Khelaifi grounded in Doha when Paris Saint Germain hosted Chelsea in the last-16 of the Champions League last week provided a symbolic illustration of the fragility of the Gulf’s sports project amid the conflict in the Middle East.Al-Khelaifi is the president of PSG, the chair of Qatar Sports Investments and, most crucially, the European Football Clubs, a lobby group that, along with Uefa, runs the Champions League. He is seen as the second-most powerful individual in world football, after the Fifa president, Gianni Infantino. Yet, with Qatari airspace closed, the 52-year-old was forced to miss his first PSG match for years. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘A toad is a perfect tenner’: experts recommend wild candidates for new banknotes
Animals will feature on £5, £10, £20 and £50 notes, the Bank of England says, but which creatures should make the cut?Native British wildlife will feature on the next set of £5, £10, £20 and £50 notes, the Bank of England has announced, but it has yet to be decided which creatures will make the cut.While politicians from Nigel Farage to Ed Davey have sought to confect outrage about ditching Winston Churchill and Jane Austen for badgers or blackbirds, public consultations by the Bank show that people favour the switch to wildlife. Regularly changing images on the notes is a measure to foil counterfeiters.Chris Packham is a naturalist, broadcaster, campaigner and authorNaturalist Lucy Lapwing is the author of Love is a Toad: Exploring Our Relationship With Nature Continue reading...
bbc.com
Home working, long leases and rise of parking apps - what went wrong for NCP
How could a company that charged as much as £65 for a day's parking fail to turn a profit?
cnbc.com
Elon Musk misled Twitter investors ahead of $44 billion acquisition, jury says
Elon Musk was sued in late 2022 after completing his acquisition of Twitter, which he later renamed X.
cnbc.com
Super Micro co-founder indicted on Nvidia smuggling charges leaves board
Super Micro said Yih-Shyan "Wally" Liaw, a co-founder, has resigned from the server maker's board after he was indicted in the U.S.
cnbc.com
Trump says he doesn't want Iran war ceasefire, but is considering 'winding down' military ops
President Donald Trump also said the Strait of Hormuz, "will have to be guarded and policed, as necessary, by other Nations who use it."
cnbc.com
Gold drops nearly 10% in worst weekly rout since 2011
The metal saw bumpy trading on Friday morning, after joining a broad sell-off the previous day.
cnbc.com
Super Micro shares tank 33% after employees charged with smuggling Nvidia chips to China
The U.S. government has been trying to crack down on illegal shipments of top-tier Nvidia artificial intelligence chips to China.
theguardian.com
How the Iran war has sent shocks rippling across the globe
From restaurant closures in the Philippines and petrol rationing in Sri Lanka, to Asian food production crises due to fertiliser shortages, the effects of the US-Israeli war on Iran reverberate around the worldMiddle East crisis – live updatesFrom the Philippines cutting down to a four-day week to save electricity, to restaurants in India taking gas-intensive dishes off the menu, and rents being frozen in Spain, the economic fallout of the US-Israeli war on Iran has reverberated around the world.Facing an existential threat, Tehran has retaliated by closing the vital Hormuz shipping lane and bombing its oil and gas-rich neighbours, compounding a deepening crisis abroad for businesses and families. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Treasury yields climb as bonds sell off and fear grows that Fed rate cuts are off the table
U.S. Treasury yields jumped on Friday as investors anticipated inflationary pressures resulting from the Middle East war.
cnbc.com
OpenAI's first crack at online shopping stumbled. It's preparing for the next wave
Etsy, Walmart and Shopify were quick to jump into Instant Checkout, but item information was often inaccurate and onboarding merchants was difficult.
bbc.com
Hargreaves Lansdown resolves IT issues affecting thousands
The finance firm has apologised for the disruption to its website and app, which has angered many customers.
theguardian.com
Fuel rations and cash handouts: Iran war energy shock hits Asia | The Latest
Across south-east Asia, governments are scrambling to find ways to conserve energy and shield the public from soaring costs, as war in the Middle East causes huge disruption in the global oil market. In Thailand, news anchors are ditching their jackets after orders to reduce air conditioning use, while government workers in the Philippines are operating on a four-day week. Asia relies heavily on imported energy, much of which passes through the strait of Hormuz, and officials have warned further measures could be considered if the energy crisis worsens. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s south-east Asia correspondent, Rebecca Ratcliffe. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
U.S. says Cuba is prohibited from taking Russian oil as two tankers head to island
The fuel-starved Caribbean island is facing its biggest test since the collapse of the Soviet Union under a U.S. oil blockade.
cnbc.com
UK government borrowing costs hit their highest level since 2008 as inflation fears hit the gilt market
Three charts show the extent of the U.K. government's borrowing woes.
cnbc.com
Trump administration unveils national AI policy framework to limit state power
AI industry leaders have opposed state-level regulatory efforts, arguing that a "patchwork" of laws would hobble innovation and give China a competitive edge.
bbc.com
Trump-backed television merger moves forward
Critics fear the consolidation will add to strains facing local news and degrade coverage.
bbc.com
Work from home and drive more slowly to save energy, global body urges
People should change how they travel, work and cook to tackle the energy price crisis, the International Energy Agency says.
theguardian.com
‘We need to think much bigger’: trade minister calls for greater ambition in UK-EU reset
Exclusive: Chris Bryant says policy agreements are being done in bits and pieces but a greater vision is needed by both sidesIt was all smiles and warm handshakes when the two men in charge of renegotiating the UK’s relationship with the EU met in Brussels this week.Maroš Šefčovič and the UK minister for EU relations, Nick Thomas-Symonds, sharing a stage on the third floor of the vast European parliament building, were at pains to show the cross-Channel relationship was in a good place after years of rancour. Continue reading...
bbc.com
UK borrowing costs hit highest since 2008 financial crisis
The interest rate on government debt is climbing over fears about inflation, interest rates, and public spending, experts have said.
cnbc.com
Government bonds face ‘perfect storm’ as Iran war rattles Europe's central banks
Bond yields have surged as Europe's central banks grapple with new inflation fears.
theguardian.com
Will the Iran war trigger another recession we have to have? – Back to Back Barries podcast
Barrie Cassidy and Tony Barry examine the fuel crisis and whether the Australian public will blame the Albanese government for the growing economic fallout from Trump’s war on Iran.They also discuss Liberal MP Andrew Hastie’s criticism of the US president, the RBA’s raising of the cash rate and why the treasurer, Jim Chalmers, is ‘opening the door’ for a recession Continue reading...
bbc.com
Energy bills forecast to rise by £332 a year in July
Cornwall Insight says the recent surge in energy prices due to the Iran war is set to push up household bills.
cnbc.com
The Tech Download: Agentic tools and chips take center stage at Nvidia's 'Super Bowl of AI'
CNBC's Katie Tarasov shares her key takeaway's from the world's most valuable company's annual AI conference
bbc.com
Did you know you could transfer your ISA?
Martin Lewis explains how you can make the most of your ISA.
theguardian.com
Household energy bills in Great Britain ‘could rise to almost £2,000 a year’ amid Iran war shock
Consultancy forecasts typical £1,972 annual dual-fuel bill as conflict pushes UK’s gas market past three-year highsHousehold energy bills in Great Britain could increase by more than £330 a year to almost £2,000 from this summer after the Iran war pushed the UK’s gas market past three-year highs.A typical combined household gas and electricity bill is now forecast to reach £1,972 a year from July under the UK government’s quarterly price cap, according to analysis by the energy consultancy Cornwall Insight,. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Huge build-up of risk’: London’s centuries-old shipping industry wrestles with Iran war
Insurers at Lloyd’s of London say cover is available at a price, while merchants view the danger level as too highShipping risk has been insured by Lloyd’s of London for more than 330 years, but now the centuries-old heart of maritime insurance is getting to grips with the most modern of threats – drones and missiles threatening hundreds of vessels stuck in the Gulf region amid the escalating Middle East conflict.For nearly three weeks the crucial strait of Hormuz has effectively been closed to the more than 100 gas and oil tankers and container ships that usually pass through each day. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Banks eye three ECB rate hikes this year as former Governor says he sees no stagflation — yet
Brokers now expect the ECB to hike interest rates this year as the specter of higher inflation and lower growth piles pressure on central banks to act.
theguardian.com
The war in Iran is ripping up the Gulf’s plan for stability | Sanam Vakil
As missiles fall from the sky and energy infrastructure is targeted, the limitations of relying on the US for protection are becoming all too obviousFor more than two weeks, missiles and drones have been crossing the skies of the Gulf, as a war many in the region sought to avoid – between the USand Israel, and Iran – continues to escalate. Airlines are diverting flights, shipping routes are being disrupted and air defence systems across the region are operating at constant alert. Now, with attacks extending to energy infrastructure including gas facilities and production sites, it is likely that the war has entered into a dangerous phase of escalation.Yet the governments now living with these risks were among those that most tried to prevent the conflict, encouraging negotiations in recent months and warning about the dangers of escalation.Sanam Vakil is the director of the Middle East and North Africa programme at Chatham HouseDo you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...
bbc.com
How the Iran war may affect your money and bills
The conflict in the Middle East has increased pressure on the cost of petrol, household energy bills and even food.
cnbc.com
Work from home, drive slower and don't use gas cookers: IEA advice on weathering the global energy crisis
The IEA warns of "the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market" due to the conflict in the Middle East.
bbc.com
Why are gas prices soaring and how could it affect you?
Analysts fear the disruption to supply could continue for longer than initially thought.
cnbc.com
Who's most optimistic about AI — and who isn't, according to Anthropic
Economic gains are people's main aspirations for AI, but analysts warned that not everyone stands to benefit equally.
cnbc.com
Trump invokes Pearl Harbor in front of Japanese prime minister to defend Iran attack secrecy
During the meeting, Trump praised Japan for "stepping up" to assist in efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz, "unlike NATO."
cnbc.com
Nvidia's Huang pitches AI tokens on top of salary as agents reshape how humans work
Most enterprise AI projects have failed since 2018, a sobering track record for an industry awash in enthusiasm.
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Trump invokes emergency powers with $23 billion in Gulf arms sales as Iran war wages on: WSJ report
The U.S. approved roughly $23 billion in weapons sales to three Gulf nations, moving to bolster their defenses as the Middle East war continued to escalate.
theguardian.com
Homes for sale with uplifting views in England and Wales – in pictures
From a real get-away-from-it-all isolated ‘off-grid’ cottage by the sea to a 42nd-floor three-bedroom flat in a London tower block Continue reading...
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The Iran war is sending shockwaves through the world's busiest IPO market
Market volatility and geopolitical tensions have choked liquidity in India’s IPO market, forcing high‑profile companies to hit pause.
theguardian.com
What’s really behind Trump’s latest tantrums over Iran? – podcast
Donald Trump has told his Nato allies: ‘We don’t need you.’ He also threatened to ‘massively blow up’ the world’s largest gasfield, despite Americans already having to deal with higher prices.This week, Jonathan Freedland speaks to Kamala Harris’s former national security adviser, Philip Gordon, about what this all means for the Iran war and Trump’s ‘America First’ policyArchive: CNBC, CBS News, Channel 4 News, ABC News, NBC News, TODAY, Sky News Continue reading...
bbc.com
Trio charged over alleged plot to smuggle Nvidia chips from US to China
They allegedly used fake papers and dummy gear as part of a plan to sell billions in tech to China.
theguardian.com
China has been preparing for a global energy crisis for years. It is paying off now
As other Asian economies race to conserve energy, China has huge reserves of oil and gas as well as alternative energy sources like wind and solarMiddle East crisis – live updatesXi Jinping has been preparing for a crisis like this for years. China must secure its energy supply “in its own hands”, its president was reported to have said during a visit to one of its vast oilfields in 2021.The US-Israel war on Iran plunged the Middle East into a deep conflict, with the strait of Hormuz – one of the most important waterways in global trade – all but closed and key energy facilities across the region under attack. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Colombia's budding tech scene needs a cash boost
Colombia has become a tech hub for Latin America, but attracting investors is a challenge.
bbc.com
Russia, China and the US – the global winners and losers of the Iran war
As the conflict triggers economic disruption some risk being hit hard, while others stand to benefit.
bbc.com
Sir John Curtice: Why Labour's Brexit focus has shifted from Leavers to Remainers
Will the pursuit of a closer relationship with the EU risk courting electoral disaster by alienating Brexit-backing voters?
bbc.com
Stock markets rattled and energy prices soar after strikes on Qatar gas hub
Oil and gas prices have risen again after fresh strikes hit key infrastructure in the Middle East.
theguardian.com
Why gasfield attacks are a major escalation in Iran war – The Latest
Donald Trump is threatening to ‘blow up’ a major Iranian energy facility, as attacks on gasfields across the Middle East send gas and oil prices skyrocketing again. The threat comes after Israeli strikes on the South Pars gasfield prompted Iran to retaliate with attacks on energy facilities across the region, including in Qatar. It marks a serious escalation in the war, which could cause long-term disruption to energy supplies. Lucy Hough speaks to senior international reporter Peter Beaumont Continue reading...
bbc.com
Faisal Islam: Iran war is having a dramatic effect on the UK economy
The knock-on effects of the war in the Gulf go beyond a hold on interest rates and are set to reverberate for months.
bbc.com
Bank ready to raise interest rates if Iran war price 'shock' persists
Policymakers vote unanimously to hold rates at 3.75% after the Iran war prompts a reversal in the debate over borrowing costs.
bbc.com
Pay grows at slowest rate in more than five years
Annual earnings grew at an annual rate of 3.8% in the November to January period, the Office for National Statistics says.
bbc.com
Why the average age of a first-time buyer has risen
The average age of a first-time buyer in England has risen from 29 to 34.
bbc.com
Nearly 400 firms fined over failure to pay minimum wage
The official minimum rates of pay will rise for 2.7 million workers in April 2026.
cnbc.com
Inside India newsletter: Gold loans are thriving in India — and attracting global investors
Gold-backed lending, a billion-dollar industry, is reshaping India’s retail credit landscape and drawing global investors to the sector.
bbc.com
How Finnish supermarkets are central to the country's defence
The chains all have detailed plans to follow in the event of the nation going to war.
bbc.com
UK sets target to boost steel making and cut imports
Up to half of steel used in Britain should be made there, the government says, as it announces its steel strategy.
bbc.com
Labubu film is official with Paddington director at the helm
The film will combine live action and computer-generated animation and is in "early development".
bbc.com
The Iran war is causing a global energy crisis - can China withstand it?
With oil supply disrupted, Beijing's oil reserves and renewable energy push are being put to the test.
bbc.com
US holds interest rates as Iran war triggers inflation fears
The US central bank is moving cautiously, despite pressure from the president to cut interest rates.
cnbc.com
How the red-hot AI data center boom is igniting demand for a new, lucrative career path: Trade workers
While anxiety around AI replacing white-collar jobs has reached a fever pitch, the data center boom is creating lucrative opportunities for trade workers.
bbc.com
How high could UK petrol and diesel prices go?
For every $10 rise in oil prices, motorists face paying roughly 7p per litre more in the UK.
bbc.com
Computer says no. Are AI interviews making it harder to get a job?
Bhuvana Chilukuri has sent more than 100 job applications and is convinced very few have been seen by a human.
bbc.com
Bentley workers 'shocked and angry' at job cuts
A union says the announcement came as a blow to employees with up to 275 positions at risk.
bbc.com
Average age of first time buyer climbs to 34
A new report looks at how conditions have changed for first time buyers since the 1990s.
cnbc.com
Stocks shake off Tuesday's oil rise — plus, Amazon debuts even faster delivery
Every weekday, the Investing Club releases the Homestretch; an actionable afternoon update just in time for the last hour of trading.
bbc.com
Is it possible to build a plastic-free home?
Using plastic in construction is cheap and easy, but some are trying to radically cut back its use.
bbc.co.uk
Selling Sheffield Wednesday
BBC Sport looks at one of England’s most famous football clubs’ fight for survival.
bbc.co.uk
Witness History
On 2 March 2006, India and the United States finalised a controversial nuclear deal
bbc.com
Ukraine's urgent fight on the financial frontline
The war-torn country is battling to secure crucial funding from the IMF and EU, as well as putting up taxes.
bbc.com
Why has Trump eased sanctions on Russian oil - and will it help Putin?
The US said easing sanctions on Russian oil would provide only a limited financial boost to Putin.
bbc.com
Dharshini David: Economy on shaky ground even before Iran war
The government's hopes that 2026 would be the year when growth picks up are at risk of being scuppered.
bbc.com
Can Ukraine's war-torn wheatfields be cleansed?
Researchers take 8,000 soil samples from battlefields to see if it is safe to grow crops.
bbc.com
Can plastic-eating fungi help clean up nappy waste?
Cost and convenience have made disposable nappies dominant - can start-ups compete?
bbc.com
A small US grocer is calling out the lower prices at big chains
It is 'impossible for us to compete', says the boss of a New York grocery store.
bbc.com
The Aldi-style disruptors who could be about to shake up the vets market
As pet owners complain of rising prices, independent practices want to take on the big chains.
bbc.com
GPS jamming: The invisible battle in the Middle East
GPS jamming has made navigation hazardous in the Gulf, spurring efforts to develop alternatives.
bbc.com
Spain's migrants welcome amnesty: 'It will help us in every way'
Madrid cites humanitarian and economic reasons to give undocumented workers legal status.
bbc.com
Can snacks help you sleep?
Chocolates, bars, gummies and drinks promise to help you sleep, but is the science behind them sound?
bbc.com
We have more privacy controls yet less privacy than ever
Has online privacy become "a luxury not a right" for us all in 2026?
cnbc.com
Register now: Applications open for the World's Top Fintech Companies 2026
CNBC and Statista chart the top fintech players from around the world, ranging from startups to Big Tech names.
bbc.com
The real impact of roadworks on the country - and why they're set to get worse
There is a fine balance between the benefits of improved infrastructure, versus the cost of disruption. Does the country have it right?
bbc.com
Why the railways often seem to be in such chaos over Christmas
Parts of Britain’s rail network will close for engineering work over the festive period - but is that the right time to do it?
bbc.com
Budget 2025: What's the best and worst that could happen for Labour?
Three days in, after a tax U-turn and partial climbdown on workers' rights, Laura Kuenssberg looks at what impact Budget week might have.
bbc.com
Has Britain's budget watchdog become too all-powerful?
Ahead of this week's Budget, some have accused the Office for Budget Responsibility of being a "straitjacket on growth"
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